Guild Wars 2 beta opens in March

Guild Wars 2 is on track for a 2012 release, with a beta programme opening in March according to Mike O'Brien.

ArenaNet has confirmed its plan to launch massively multiplayer on-line role playing game Guild Wars 2 later this year, offering early details of the game's beta programme in celebration of the Chinese Year of the Dragon.

Following on from the subscription-free MMO Guild Wars, the sequel features an all-new engine with improved graphics where gamers can immerse themselves in an impressively-sized world known as Tyria.

'We're a company full of MMO and RPG fans, and we've set out to fundamentally rethink how you deliver an RPG experience online,' claimed Mike O'Brien, ArenaNet's founder and president, in an announcement timed to coincide with the Chinese New Year. 'So this year, the Year of the Dragon, let’s usher out old thinking – the tired old quest model, stiff repetitive combat, and monthly fees – and usher in the new.'

According to O'Brien, while the initial closed beta testing for the title has finished, a new press-only preview will begin in February, to be expanded to the public in March and April at an 'aggressive' pace.

O'Brien also confirmed that the game is still on track for a 2012 release, promising that Guild Wars fans will be getting their hands on the title before the end of the year. Sadly, however, there's no news yet of a firm release date.

'It’s been an incredible adventure over the past five years, working with our community and our team of dedicated artists, designers, and programmers to realise this vision,' O'Brien added. 'This year, the seeds of that work come to fruition. We can't wait to play the game with you.'

Details of how to access the expanded public beta are expected to appear on the official site some time towards the end of next month.

Excited about the prospect of Guild Wars 2, or do you think the MMO genre peaked with World of Warcraft? Share your thoughts over in the forums.

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16 Comments

I used to like guildwars, I had a great character, I was in a great guild, It was great, and then they banned my account when they banned thousands for "suspected botting" - no questions asked, no reprieve. Even though I had never botted, I never got my account back and they adopted a big of a "**** you - you botted" attitude. It was annoying as I bought it when it first came out, and bought all the expansions, and played it for 4 years on and off - a hell of a lot of time and effort wasted there (and money).

Yeah im sure that's true Margo.....
Really looking forwards to GW2! Though I totally love SWTOR, GW was my first proper MMO, and it was great for a F2P system, with the second one looking even better! Its gonna be worth getting no matter what really.

I played the original GW a lot (read - obsessed, 4000+ hours in-game), until I had done just about everything there was to be done in the game (excluding the PvP, that never interested me).

I've kept half an eye on the development of GW2 since I quit playing the original, and I like the sound of most of it, but not some. I'll still buy and play it, but I'm not sure if I'll play it as much as the original - guess I'll have to see how it turns out!

I've never played WoW - I won't play any subscription fee based game, period.

The very first Guild Wars was a fun game to play with a small group of friends and slowly pick it apart a few missions a day at a time. I didn't like the expansions so much but on the first game alone they have sold me on Guild Wars 2. It would take a massive crap-storm within the game itself to make me not want to play it. *crosses-fingers*

I have played Guild Wars for 4 years and for the most part have enjoyed the experience and all the expansions and am still playing today working towards completing my Hall of Monuments. I have seen players come and go and still making new friends in game.

Its not always been an easy road but there has been and still is plenty to do in the game that I am rarely at a loss for something to do or achieve.

I am thoroughly looking forward to playing GW2 and even though it breaks with tradition and that causes some concerns I think the devs will give us all a great experience even if some of us have our own personal caveats as to what we prefer to see in the game.

i went to gamescom back in 2010 with the sole purpose to play the first ever GW2 demo and loved it!
I have been playing GuildWars since that was in beta and i really cant wait to be a part of the GuildWars 2 beta!
I even intend to book days off work following its launch as, i have never ever played another game like guildwars in which i have devoted so much of my time too, and i'm sure GW2 will do just that :D

I've been playing Guild Wars now for well over six years, coming up for seven now. I've loved how the game began, evolved and how it plays today. It's been a long wait for Guild Wars 2, the only worry is the massive legacy and anticipation might be difficult to succeed and satisfy.

Originally Posted by TC93"
I want to get this game, but this really is getting pathetic how long it takes them to put out a game. Its been years with these same comments about it coming out.

It takes most developers around 2 years to put out a new game and in the majority of cases we don't hear about it until the games are close to launch. With Guild Wars 2 it was announced the day they started the actual development, so yes it has seemed a long time coming but only because we have waited each and every day for it.

As for graphics, well it already looks better than the majority of other titles out there especially WoW's cartoon style graphics.

I never played the first one because I was turned off by it not being a true MMO. I would rather pay a subscription and get the bigger experience. But this sequel looks like they have managed to provide everything the other games do, and still not have a subscription. The main reason I want it though is because they have changed so many of the old traditions, and it's about time.

Originally Posted by TC93I want to get this game, but this really is getting pathetic how long it takes them to put out a game. Its been years with these same comments about it coming out.

From this comment it sounds like it won't be out until the end of the year, which is ridiculous. By the time they release the game, their graphics will be outdated and people complaining about it.

I don't think 5 years for a full development cycle where you produce your own engine and development tools is that bad.[1] Lots of games have an observed 2 year cycle because they use someone else's engine and are based on a known formula.

I do think Arenanet made a mistake saying that they weren't developing campaign 4 of GW and instead were making GW2 when they had only just started the process but hindsight is a wonderful thing. At the same time they have made a lot of changes and additions to an old game to keep the fanbase interested; such as the War in Kryta and the massive Dervish overhall

The comment in no way suggests it will be out at the end of the year, the schedule is leading to an August release at the latest in my opinion. How many games do you know have an open beta test and then disappear for 8 months? If the public open betas happen in March/April then the game should be released May/June. I've given them until August as knowing Anet if the open betas throw up problems they'll delay instead of rushing it. I have to add I'm not sure if there will be that many though, I've not heard of any bugs from the demo's they've been rolling around other than some odd animation that they've already admitted to trying to fix.

Originally Posted by TC93I want to get this game, but this really is getting pathetic how long it takes them to put out a game. Its been years with these same comments about it coming out.

From this comment it sounds like it won't be out until the end of the year, which is ridiculous. By the time they release the game, their graphics will be outdated and people complaining about it.

I don't think 5 years for a full development cycle where you produce your own engine and development tools is that bad.[1] Lots of games have an observed 2 year cycle because they use someone else's engine and are based on a known formula.

I do think Arenanet made a mistake saying that they weren't developing campaign 4 of GW and instead were making GW2 when they had only just started the process but hindsight is a wonderful thing. At the same time they have made a lot of changes and additions to an old game to keep the fanbase interested; such as the War in Kryta and the massive Dervish overhall

The comment in no way suggests it will be out at the end of the year, the schedule is leading to an August release at the latest in my opinion. How many games do you know have an open beta test and then disappear for 8 months? If the public open betas happen in March/April then the game should be released May/June. I've given them until August as knowing Anet if the open betas throw up problems they'll delay instead of rushing it. I have to add I'm not sure if there will be that many though, I've not heard of any bugs from the demo's they've been rolling around other than some odd animation that they've already admitted to trying to fix.

If you played the beta for GW1, you will remember how they did it and it will be the same for GW2.

hoping to see this out in May/June though as I'm dying to get my hands on it again.

Hmm I read those and earlier comments as focused beta testing events similar to the way WoW does focused raid testing on the PTR. And I'm sorry my original post didn't reflect this, that's the trouble with trying to compose a poignant post just before you're supposed to leave before work.

I wish I could say I was there for the original GW betas but I only started playing during Factions with an MM necro who has since been replaced with a Dervish as my main love.

Originally Posted by iwogHmm I read those and earlier comments as focused beta testing events similar to the way WoW does focused raid testing on the PTR. And I'm sorry my original post didn't reflect this, that's the trouble with trying to compose a poignant post just before you're supposed to leave before work.

I wish I could say I was there for the original GW betas but I only started playing during Factions with an MM necro who has since been replaced with a Dervish as my main love.

I was more adding to your post. :D

Everything you said is pretty much true.

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